Senegal: Habre's lawyers appeal life sentence

Defense lawyers of former Chadian president Hissene Habre have appealed the life sentence handed downed to the former Chadian leader by an African Union backed court in Senegal.

The decision comes close to a fortnight after the verdict in which Habre was found guilty of crimes against humanity, summary executions, torture and rape committed during his 1992-1990 stay in power.

“We formally made the appeal yesterday” against the “unfavourable” verdict reached on May 30,” Mbaye Sene, a lawyer with Habre’s defense team said.

The lawyers say they hope for a retrial despite Hissene Habre’s refusal to recognise the court.

A spokesman for the Extraordinary African Chamber confirmed the information, stating that the appeal trial is expected to be concluded by April 2017, as the court has to first of all handle civil matters.

The AU is expected to designate judges for the case between August and September which will be followed by close to 7 months of hearings.

Habre went into exile in Senegal in 1990, after a military coup and has been living there for 26 years.

The Extraordinary African Chamber which started operating in February 2013 was set up following an agreement between Senegal and the African Union.